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Building Setbacks & Zoning in Sunnyvale, CA (2026)

3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Sunnyvale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Setback Rules

Sunnyvale setbacks depend on zoning district under SMC Title 19. Typical R-1 single-family lots require 20-foot front, 5-foot side, and 20-foot rear setbacks.

Setback Rules in Sunnyvale

Some Restrictions

Structure Height Limits

Structure height in Sunnyvale depends on zone. R-1 homes are capped at about 30 feet or 2 stories; mixed-use and commercial zones permit taller buildings under Title 19.

Height Limits in Sunnyvale

Some Restrictions

Lot Coverage Limits

Lot coverage in Sunnyvale is capped by zoning under SMC Title 19. R-1 lots typically allow about 40 percent building coverage, with separate floor area ratio (FAR) limits.

Lot Coverage Rules in Sunnyvale

Some Restrictions

Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sunnyvale city rules.

Building Setbacks & Zoning in Santa Clara County